Archive for February, 2010
Layouts and a Haiti Update
Hi friends! I hope you’ve had a great week! I have a couple new layouts to share with you and a Haiti Relief update!
“You Make Me Smile” – 12×12 layout using all Stampin’ UP! products
Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack
Beautiful Wings Stampin’ Up! Embosslits Die
Always Stamp Set
White Stampin’ Emboss Powder
The “You Make Me Smile” stamp is retired. I also used a 1.5″ circle punch and corner-rounding punch on this layout.
“Friend” – 12×12 Layout, Stampin’ UP! products only
Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack
Scallop Border Punch *AVAILABLE FOR FREE DURING SALE-A-BRATION!*
I {Heart} Hearts – Clear Mount Stamp Set
Clear Block D
I also embossed these hearts and used a 1″ and 1.5″ Circle Punch, then popped-up the circles with Dimensionals.
Speaking of I {Heart} Hearts…
At last count Stampin’ UP! customers and demonstrators have sent over $15,000 to the American Red Cross’ Haitian Relief efforts!! WOO HOO!! If you haven’t picked up this set yet be sure to order it before February 28th and $2 of the sale will go to the Red Cross! This goes for both the wood-mounted AND clear-mounted sets! Be sure to see the set here: http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryID=708
Have a great weekend! Love, T
Why people don’t scrapbook (or continue scrapbooking)
Aby Garvey posted a great article yesterday on her blog at simplify101.com about the parallels between why people don’t scrapbook and why they don’t get organized. Take a look at the post (HERE) and read below how Stampin’ UP! And I can help you start (or get back into) scrapbooking.
Reasons
Feeling Overwhelmed
I completely understand the “deer-caught-in-the-headlights” feeling from the shear number of scrapbooking products on the market! I also understand a mounting pile of photos just itching to be cherished.
Perfectionism
I used to keep my favorite photos in a box for “when I’m good enough to scrapbook them”. Aby said it best, “But I find it so ironic that our desire to do something perfectly often prevents us from doing it at all.”
Time Constraints
We’re all pushed to our limits each day with work, family, home, and hobbies vying for our attention and time. However, as with organization, the sooner you set up a plan the easier and faster it will be to get things done.
How SU! and I can help
Feeling Overwhelmed
One of the most common phrases I hear from new scrapbookers is “how do you know what matches?” Stampin’ UP! has a solution for that problem: everything coordinates. Papers, inks, stickers, stamps, markers… it’s all created by designers using coordinating color families, and all SU! embellishments coordinate with everything else! All you have to do is choose your photo(s), pick out one color from the photograph and use scrapbooking products containing that color – SU! does the rest for you!
If you have piles of photographs and don’t know where to start, let me know! We can set up a time to go through your photographs, one-on-one or with a group of friends, and pick out supplies that match perfectly. You haven’t ever scrapbooked before? No problem! Just let me know and we can set up a fun “Scrapbooking 101” class for you and your friends, or a crop night for scrapping fun!
Perfectionism
I say this to my daughter all the time: There is NO wrong way to make art. Scrapbooking is about memories and the stories of your life, plain and simple. The art is just your personal way of expressing those feelings and telling those stories. My first “scrapbook” was made in high school: construction paper, photos (cut into some interesting shapes) and Crayola markers. These were stuck in regular page protectors and a blue school binder. While it won’t ever be published in a magazine or win a design award, I wouldn’t trade that scrapbook for the world! Those memories and that time in my life (heart-dotted “i”s and all) are too valuable!
The easiest way to begin scrapbooking is to copy a scrapbooker’s layout(s) until you feel comfortable branching out on your own. Check out my blog for scrapbooking layouts and designs using SU! products, or set up a scrapbooking time with me to re-create some of my favorite layouts with your photographs. Don’t let the fear of “perfect” stop you from sharing your story!
Time Constraints
With Stampin’ UP!’s coordinating products, scrapbooking can be quick! When I have a moment to create, I want to get as much accomplished as possible. With SU! there’s no wasted time trying to coordinate colors, match ribbons, or find the perfect paper – everything coordinates! This goes back to organization – once you have the tools you need the necessary time to create a project decreases significantly. Look to Stampin’ UP!s Simply Scrapin’ kits for papers and stickers in one package – just open the package and you’ll be ready to create! And when you need embellishments – just let me know which color palette you’re using and I can suggest products that will take your layouts to the next level.
If you’re ever in doubt, just ask me! I’m here to inspire and share with you. J
Interested in Stampin’ UP! scrapbooking supplies? Just click the link to your right and browse my online store, or send me a comment or note saying “I need a catalog!” and I’ll pop one in the mail to you.
Love Sparkles Simply Scrapin’ Kit
Workshop Saturday
Create or Computer? The age-old question…
I’m not gone, I’ve just been creating instead of blogging! 🙂 Here are a few things I’ve been up to:
New Ribbon Storage
I wanted a fun and functional way to store my SU! ribbons so I used a couple Bell glass canning jars! I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch holes in the canning lids, threaded my ribbon through the holes and spun on the screw-top lid. Now they sit on my bookshelf and I can see at a glance what I have.
I wanted to make a Valentine’s banner, so I took my daughter’s old shoebox…
And used my Big Shot to cut out the backgrounds for my banner (using the Top Note die). I then die cut my Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper and Kraft cardstock with the same die.
I attached the paper to the box dies with adhesive. I bought a glitter “Love” banner a few years ago at Target and found the letters in my stash (I never throw away a good craft project ;)) and attached those to the die cuts with Sticky Strip. I then used my Crop-A-Dile (can you tell I love this thing??) to punch holes in the dies.
Next I stamped hearts from the I {Heart} Hearts set on Crushed Curry cardstock and embossed with White Stampin’ Embossing Powder.
After cutting out the letters I adhered them to the letters with Sticky Strip. I then threaded Melon Mambo Polka-Dot ribbon through and VOILA! A custom Valentine’s banner! 🙂
Remember that Stampin’ UP! will donate $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set to the American Red Cross. You can purchase this and hundreds of fabulous products by clicking on the link to your right.
Have a great Wednesday! 🙂
mamabearstamps.wordpress.com 
